Customer Reviews

Southern Steel

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Morse is a giant in guitar performance and instrumental composition, and a long-time Gallery of the Greats resident in Guitar Player Magazine's readership rankings. This album is securely in his recent tradition, tending more to the electric side of things with tunes like "Arena Rock", "Weekend Overdrive", "Cut to the Chase", Sleaze Factor" and the title tune, "Southern Steel". "Simple Simon" and "Arena Rock" have deep-diving hooks that settle into memory, and the title tune can still pull a tear out of me. Morse is a master of "leave 'em wanting more", by building a tune with progressive harmonies and counterpoint into a symphonic crescendo and just as it's at the transcendent blend, fading the song out. My test for an album is how many times I can play it in obsessive succession, over and over, before I'm sick of it. I'm still spinning this one.

I've owned several Morse CDs in the past, and, although they're all good, there's usually only a couple of standouts per disk. Southern Steel has the most standouts of the CDs I've listened to.

Out of all the musical endeavors he participated in, the Steve Morse Band is perhaps the most significant and personal one. This instrumental trio is well known for re-inventing rock in all possible ways, mixing it with jazz, country, funk and even bluegrass. "Southern Steel" from 1991 is to this day considered one of the finest albums the band has ever released.

I first heard of Steve Morse when I saw him with Deep Purple live. It was quite a moment.

Listening to the first of his solo albums I could find was much the same way. He displays all the facets of his playing in the highly listen-able album. From the shredding solos of "Cut to the Chase" to the almost blues-grunge of "Sleaze Factor" to the quiet strains of the Bach-inspired "Point Counterpoint," the whole album is sonically stunning.

It's not just a guitar-orgy though, bassist Dave LaRue adds some incredible beats and soloing. Highly recommended for anyone who likes Satriani-style guitar instrumentals.

In case you didn't get it from the above reviews, this guy rocks his a** off. I too, have been a huge fan since the '80's and have seen the Steve Morse Band in concert - don't cheat yourself out of one heck of a night. This particlar CD is the cremdelacrem of the SMB. His group the Dregs/Dixie Dregs was phenominal also, but SMB is just a three man wall of rock, no words getting in the way, just an adrenaline pumping romp. If you don't have it yet, get it here.

Steve Morse is such a versatile guitar player, and man can he play. He is one of my favorite guitarists, not just because of his technique, but his songwriting is engaging, catchy, and exciting. Every one of his solo discs is a blend of rock, jazz, country, funk, and classical. This release has southern rock flair to it, hence the album title, and his band - Dave LaRue (bass), and Van Romaine (drums) are electrifying. This is a 38-minute no filler disc that anyone who loves instrumental music should have. Be sure to check out his other solo albums, cause they're all good.

I've been a fan of Steve Morse since 'Free Fall' and remember seeing the (when they were still called) Dixie Dregs in a converted Knights of Columbus in Islip, Long Island in the 70's with at most 10-15 people in the audience. That band was a musical life-changing experience, like the Mahavishnu Orchestra for southern rock fans. As much as his chops, I've always been impressed with his writing, arranging, and sense of color on both electric and acoustic.

Aside from some nice odd-time moments on 'Southern Steel' I get the unmistakable sense of a dislocated rhythm section that Steve's blowing over and doing it with a largely monochromatic fully saturated tone, flat dynamics, and too much angst by half. Worse than that, the writing is just dull with none of the interaction and contrast that made his real ensemble work so special.

I understand he's going up against Vai and Satriani and a whole genre of shredders and high-energy instrumental guitarists. Yes, his chops are better than ever and as fluid as just about anyone's. But when I think of the music Morse is capable of creating, records like 'Southern Steel' can't help but disappoint and have me pulling out the old stuff.

It's a Southern thing, I reckon; I'm running out of title ideas, obviously. But it is his best, regardless of my lame title; From the trading solos on 'Cut to the Chase' w/Jeff Watson to incredibly solid, intricate bass and drumwork, this is a CD filled with accomplished playing on all levels; The songs are filled with surprising turns, and are actually great songs without being overly long. Morse is a master of various styles, and this will give you a sampling of nearly all of them on what I consider his best solo work. And that was a hard choice to make.

I've been a Dregs/Steve Morse fan since the early 80's. I have virtually every CD he has ever put out. They are all great, but some are simply incredible. Southern Steel is incredible. Steve Morse is simply the best guitar player alive. I find his ability, range, style, and breadth of talent, remarkable. This CD is just awesome. All of the tunes are great, however, Simple Simon, may be, the best of the best. The musical genius that is Steve Morse should not be missed. The other band members are great too. It's hard to miss Dave LaRue's bass tracks. I've never heard a bass player as good as this guy. Awesome stuff.

THis guy really can play guitar!! And play it in a virtuoso way, but without sounding boring, like many Satriani, Vai and Malmsteen recordings. No wonder Deep Purple picked him up to replace Blackmore.